You have just installed Windows via USB stick, but you entered the wrong login name? Or you simply don’t like your account name anymore? Don’t worry, you don’t have to create a new user or even reset your operating system. We’ll show you how to change your user name on Windows 10 in just a few minutes.
We will introduce you to two proven methods below. Which one is relevant for you basically depends on the type of account you use to log in:
Windows 10: Microsoft Account or Local Account
When setting up your operating system (before starting Windows 10 for the first time), you have to create an administrator. By default, you enter the data of your Microsoft account here, which you also use in Skype or Office 2019 for example. You have to consciously select a local account by clicking on Continue without Microsoft account or Offline account in this step.
So, if you have deliberately not made a choice, Windows will use your Microsoft account. Since the beginning of 2020, this decision will no longer apply whenever your PC is connected to the Internet during installation. The Microsoft account thus becomes mandatory and local accounts increasingly disappear. Not much is different as a result, except for instance when you are looking for a way on how to change a user name on Windows 10.
Local Account: How to Change User Name on Windows 10?
- Open the Windows 10 Control Panel.
- Under User Accounts, click Change Account Type.
- Select the user you want to change.
- Navigate to the Change Account Name tab.
- Enter the new name for the local account in the text window.
- Confirm the customization by clicking Change Name.
So much for the short version. If you have successfully completed all steps, you can log out or log in with the new credentials the next time you restart. You have successfully learned how to change your user name on Windows 10.
If you can’t get to the settings because your taskbar doesn’t work properly, please have a look at our detailed guide. If you are wondering where to find the Control Panel again, try the Windows search function. You can reach it by pressing the Windows logo key + S or in the settings (Windows logo key + I). You may have to change or activate the Windows key first.
How to Change your Microsoft Account?
If you want to know how to change the user name on Windows 10 of your Microsoft account, you have to visit the company’s website. You can reach it at account.microsoft.com. Alternatively, you can play it safe and access the page directly from your operating system. To do this, open the settings again (see above), select Accounts and click on Manage my Microsoft Account under your user name.
After the Microsoft page has loaded in your browser, you should first log in with your old data. To do this, simply click on the appropriate button in the upper right corner and enter your Microsoft name and password. You can still specify if you would like to stay logged in on this device. This is only recommended if it is a private computer to which only known people have access.
On the home page of your account, select the Your Information tab to have your user name changed. Then click Edit name under your Microsoft account name. You can now choose a new first and last name, which you just have to save (after entering the string).
Wait a few minutes until the change is applied. If you were able to learn how to change a user name on Windows 10, this will affect all Microsoft products. This includes, of course, the login to your operating system, but also the information in your e-mail services or the autodata in Office 2021 Standard. For example, your correct name will now be used when you comment on a text passage in Word.